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Memorial held for champion kickboxer in West Palm Beach

Steve Shepherd, who fought off thief in 2018 attack, remembered by friends, family
Posted at 7:14 PM, May 15, 2021
and last updated 2021-05-15 21:06:32-04

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Friends and family came together Saturday afternoon to remember and celebrate the life of a world champion kickboxer.

Steve Shepherd passed away on May 11.

Many of his closest friends and family got together at E.R. Bradley's to celebrate his life.

Shepherd made headlines in December 2018 when he was attacked by a thief as he was walking through the parking lot of an Interstate 95 shopping plaza off Okeechobee Boulevard. Instinct took over and Shepherd started throwing punches.

The man ended up on the ground, but he managed to get up and run away.

Family and friends want the community to know that Shepherd was an outgoing and fun guy who they will truly miss.

"He impacted everyone. He was awesome," his daughter, Sam Shepherd, told WPTV. "Just shows you know how people accepted him. It's great to see."

"I wish they weren't here for this reason," Kerry Roesser Shepherd, his former wife, added. "But I'm so glad that they're here to celebrate him. He was so afraid no one would show up at the funeral. That was a big fear he had. This just proves the impact he had on our life and in this community."